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08:08 AM ET 07.02 | At the very least, it appears Scott Brooks will return to OKC, but keeping his players might be more difficult. The Thunder has secured the services of [Kevin Durant] and Russell Westbrook, and now comes time to corral James Harden and Serge Ibaka -- starting Sunday, with the window open until Halloween for contract extensions. But getting Harden and Ibaka signed will not be as easy as knocking on a door; it's more like solving a Rubik's Cube. To keep this core together, the Thunder is going to have to take some organizational risk, and Harden and Ibaka are going to have to sacrifice, perhaps greatly, and even that combination might not suffice. ... The numbers are staggering against the Thunder.

James Harden, Icon Sports

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July 2, 2012 08:23 AM ET

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OKC will keep all the players. That's how much the new CBA favors the owners. You look at small market teams like Memphis and Atlanta - they have big money players and haven't coughed up any due to their market size. Last I checked Wolves are offering a 50 million contract to Batum after having paid Love.... so no worries OKC fans. Your team will stay in tact thanks to the new CBA.

Lostwill

Natick , MA

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July 2, 2012 08:24 AM ET

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Problem with sports and over paid athletes. Teams that come so close to winning can't stay together because of salary caps. The reality of sports today.

Onion

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July 2, 2012 09:09 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:23 AM ET 07.02 by Lostwill

OKC will keep all the players. That's how much the new CBA favors the owners. You look at small market teams like Memphis and Atlanta - they have big money players and haven't coughed up any due to their market size. Last I checked Wolves are offering a 50 million contract to Batum after having paid Love.... so no worries OKC fans. Your team will stay in tact thanks to the new CBA.

I agree. Sam Presti will work his magic and keep both players...I just hope the contract negotiations between Harden and Ibaka won't become a distraction during the season next year. The Thunder should be able to negotiate with the players and their agents and get something worked out.

*Crossing my fingers*

SoonerThunder

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July 2, 2012 09:54 AM ET

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Taking One For The Team, Bros?

I Love LA

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July 2, 2012 09:56 AM ET

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QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 09:54 AM ET 07.02 by MMAFan

Perkins instead of Ibaka probably makes more sense.

Good morning MMA. I like that trade...but what about trading Maynor and Perkins for Howard?

SoonerThunder

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July 2, 2012 10:01 AM ET

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QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 09:58 AM ET 07.02 by DJRoxalot

Salaries don't match. You wouldn't do that deal anyway. Not if you're the Magic. LOL./

Not sure why not...Maynor is a better PG than Westbrook and Perkings is due to be paid 25 mil over the next three seasons...seems pretty fair salary wise to me.